Friday, May 16, 2008

A Closet In the Making

She had a womanly instinct that clothes
possess an influence more powerful over many
than the worth of character
or the magic of manners.
-Louisa May Alcott

... She also had womanly instinct that if her "powerful" clothes didn't come off chairs, out of piles, and away from the dog soon, she would go raving mad.

The trouble with being a 20-something single girl trying to renovate an old house is two-fold: one, you have a small army of clothing that demands its own barracks and discipline; and two, old houses don't have closets. You see my dilemma.

I decided this week that something must be done. Poor Millie. She's gotten frowned at and scolded several times for streaking through the house with my beaded pink top. My orange Anthropologie sweater. My vintage brown skirt. My left snow boot. And it's not her fault. If I were a puppy I'd go for those things, too. I had to do something.

Enter the following: a bare wall outside my bedroom. Four antique, paint-crackled brackets from Canton. Two pine poles and one pine board. A power drill. A tackle box, a plate stand, and an untold number of shoe boxes from Container Store. What does that spell? C-L-O-S-E-T. One cool closet wall. Or at least something that will suffice for now.

It's not done. I need the weekend, only every single hour of my weekend - save and except 3 to 4 PM on Sunday - is spoken for. Next week, then? Yeah. Next week then.

Hope you enjoy your Friday. See you soon. -Brin

11 comments:

Jenny said...

Good job, Brin! I imagine Miss Millie is having *much* fun with all the girly things to play with. :) Looking forward to more pictures.

Sissy said...

Neat way to make a little extra space where there was just a wall!

My puppies at shoes, mittens, scarves, and anything they could get their little paws on. My Lucy's favorite thing to eat was pens. Pens! Any color. Any then I was left with spots on my carpet! Black, blue, sharpie! All over. Thank goodness she grew out of it.

Tricia said...

Very resourceful!

Unknown said...

I never guessed a closet, but hey that works too! Leave to you to come up with a great storage idea, can't wait to see the finished product!

Harbor Hon said...

You do so much for everyone, it's time you did something for yourself. I love the closet wall you put up. You are so full of smart, easy and fresh ideas. I just can't keep up with you.
Carolyn xxoo

Heather said...

Don't you just love your power drill? I do. I tell it often. Your closet is brilliant!! And is the pink beaded top the one I see hanging in the front? I LOVE it. Yes, such things need to be rescued from the killer jaws of your little brown furball. Cute, but killer of snowboots and Anthropologie sweaters.

Gracie G. said...

What a good idea! Necessity is the mother of invention, or so they say. :) I love all the creative and original ideas I find on your blog. You are definitely my daily blog read!

Grace

Vee said...

Wonderful idea! Do you have a room that's free in that big old Freeman House where you could use the entire space?

Would you believe that I gave up my closet preferring to use the laundry room? So convenient. It just isn't pretty like yours.

Enjoy the weekend!

Anonymous said...

Stumbled upon your blog with a seemingly random Google search. One can debate whether anything in life is random, but what I'd really like to say is that you have an amazing gift for communication! Not mention an amazing heart for God. I pray that God continue to bless your life and ministry! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I wonder why old houses never had closets or little ones like I have....hmmm. You are such a handy woman! handy and talented, what an incredible closet wall you've made :)

Brambleberry said...

My old house is in need of extra storage space as well. You have inspired a search for the next nook to reclaim as a closet.

Love the brackets!